First Home Buyer Grants in South Australia: Maximising Your Support
Buying your first home in Adelaide is an exciting milestone, but the upfront costs can often feel like a significant hurdle.
Fortunately, South Australian first home buyers have access to some of the most supportive government incentives in the country.
The landscape of grants and concessions has changed recently to make homeownership more accessible. Understanding these options early can help you build a more effective savings strategy and increase your confidence when you’re ready to make an offer.
The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)
The cornerstone of state support is the First Home Owner Grant, a one-off payment of $15,000 provided by the South Australian Government. This grant is designed specifically to help with the costs of buying or building a new residential property.
Key eligibility criteria include:
- Property Type: The home must be brand new (never lived in or sold) or a substantially renovated home.
- Residency: You must live in the property as your principal place of residence for at least six continuous months within the first year of settlement or completion.
- Property Value: For contracts entered into on or after 6 June 2024, the South Australian Government has abolished the property value cap for the FHOG, meaning more buyers can access this support regardless of the purchase price.
- Previous Property Ownership: For contracts entered into on or after 13 February 2025, you will not be eligible if you or your spouse/domestic partner have previously owned (held a relevant interest in) a residential property in Australia.
Stamp Duty Abolition
One of the most significant recent changes for Adelaide buyers is the abolition of stamp duty for eligible first home buyers. Stamp duty is typically one of the largest upfront costs when purchasing a property, but if you are buying or building a new home, you may now pay zero stamp duty.
Similar to the FHOG, there are no property price caps for this relief on contracts entered into on or after 6 June 2024. This change alone can save buyers tens of thousands of dollars—for example, a buyer of a $750,000 new home could receive relief of up to $50,000 when combining the stamp duty exemption and the FHOG.
Additional Support Schemes
Beyond the main state grants, first home buyers in Adelaide may also explore:
- HomeStart Finance: Offers low-deposit loan options, including a 2% deposit loan for those building a new home with selected partners.
- Federal Government Guarantees: From 1 October 2025, the First Home Guarantee allows eligible buyers to purchase with as little as a 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).
What This Means for You
Navigating grants and concessions is about more than just finding “free money”—it’s about how these incentives interact with your loan structure and long-term financial goals. Because eligibility rules and application timelines can be strict, getting local guidance early in the process ensures you don’t miss out on the support you’re entitled to.
Ready to see which grants you qualify for? Book a free home loan chat to talk through your situation and get a clear picture of the support available for your first home in Adelaide.